Agenda item

Councillor Babbage declared an interest in this application and left the Chamber for the duration of the debate

Officer introduction:

MJC introduced this application for external soil pipes for flats on the corner of Princess Elizabeth Way and Gloucester Road, similar to other applications recently considered by Planning Committee.  The application is needed because the internal pipes are failing and replacing them would mean installing new kitchens and bathrooms for all the flats, at a disproportionate cost. The application is at Planning Committee as CBH is the applicant, and the officer recommendation is to approve.

Public Speaking:

There was none.

Member debate:

JP:  understands the reason for the application but is concerned at the lack of imagination by CBH, proposing dark pipes down the outside of the buildings and not disguised in any way.  They will be an eyesore.

AL:  this is a main gateway to the town, and adding heavy black vertical lines to these light-coloured buildings is not necessary.  The existing pipes are the same colour as the buildings.  Would like to propose that for the new pipes.

MJC, in response:

-       the proposal is for black uPVC pipes, so it would not be a case of painting them but of providing pipes of a different colour.  Would Members prefer white pipes?  Officers consider the proposed black pipes to be acceptable and nothing unusual.  It is up to Members to decide, but is wary of them micro-managing applications in this way.

PT:  notes that there are already black rainwater pipes from the guttering and black tanks in situ.

CN:  agrees.  The black pipes may not stand out as much as some Members fear.

AL:  half of those are hidden behind the parapets of the balconies.  The smaller pipes from basins are painted the same colour as the exterior of the building.  It would be better if the soil pipes were white.

CH:  plastic pipes can be painted any colour, and should match the surface of the building.  This would look less cluttered.  Would be happy to see this amendment.

GB:  can AL confirm what his amendment is?

AL:  initially for the pipes to be white; ideally for them to be the same colour as the building.

CL, in response:

-       officers may have a better way of wording this.  Can add a condition that that colour of the pipes is to be white or matching as to be approved by the local planning authority

MJC, in response:

-       officers do not want to agree the colour of the pipe – this would be another application.  Suggests that the condition requires white or matching pipes, and that will be the end of our involvement in the proposal.

DS:  suggests ‘matching’ is the best option, if AL is happy with that.

SW:  suggests ‘complementary’ would be better.

GB:  officers prefer ‘matching’

Vote on AL’s move to add a condition that the pipes should be white or matching

9 in support

4 in objection

1 abstention

MOTION CARRIED

Vote on officer recommendation to permit with additional condition

13 in support

0 in objection

1 abstention

PERMIT